U.S. patent application number 11/057358 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-17 for 6 1/2 card poker game.
This patent application is currently assigned to Shuffle Master, Inc.. Invention is credited to Roger M. Snow.
Application Number | 20060183525 11/057358 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36816313 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060183525 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Snow; Roger M. |
August 17, 2006 |
6 1/2 Card poker game
Abstract
A casino wagering game is played in which hand rank or hand
count is determined by the provision of symbols dealt to at least a
player. A player places at least a first wager on an underlying
card game in which a player hand competes with a dealer hand. X
cards are dealt to a dealer to form a dealer hand. A random number
of cards are dealt to a player that has placed the at least a first
wager to form a player hand. The random number is selected from a
defined set of numbers including at least one number less than X
and X. The ranks of the dealer hand and the player hand are
compared, and the at least first wager is resolved. Typically ranks
of the dealer hand and the player hand are based upon poker ranks
for a hand of Y cards, and Y is selected from the group consisting
of 3, 4 and 5, while X is selected from 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, with
X.gtoreq.Y.
Inventors: |
Snow; Roger M.; (Las Vegas,
NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Mark A. Litman & Associates, P.A.;York Business Center
Suite 205
3209 West 76th Street
Edina
MN
55435
US
|
Assignee: |
Shuffle Master, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
36816313 |
Appl. No.: |
11/057358 |
Filed: |
February 14, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 2001/005 20130101;
A63F 1/00 20130101; A63F 2003/00164 20130101; A63F 3/00157
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/013 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A method of playing a casino wagering game in which hand rank or
hand count is determined by the provision of symbols dealt to at
least a player comprising: a player placing at least a first wager
on an underlying card game in which a player hand competes with a
dealer hand; dealing X cards to a dealer to form a dealer hand;
dealing a random number of cards to a player that has placed the at
least a first wager to form a player hand, the random number being
selected from a defined set of numbers including at least one
number less than X and X; comparing ranks of the dealer hand and
the player hand; and resolving the at least first wager.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein ranks of the dealer hand and the
player hand are based upon poker ranks for a hand of Y cards.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein Y is selected from the group
consisting of 3, 4 and 5.
4. The method of claim 2 wherein Y is 5.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein X is selected from the group
consisting of 6 and 7.
6. The method of claim 2 wherein X is selected from the group
consisting of 6 and 7.
7. The method of claim 4 wherein X is selected from the group
consisting of 6 and 7.
8. The method of claim 3 wherein Y is 5 and X is 7.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the defined set of numbers is
selected from the group consisting of 6 and 7.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the player views the random
number of cards dealt to the player and either folds or makes a
second wager.
11. The method of claim 5 wherein the player views the random
number of cards dealt to the player and either folds or makes a
second wager.
12. The method of claim 7 wherein the player views the random
number of cards dealt to the player and either folds or makes a
second wager.
13. The method of claim 9 wherein the player views the random
number of cards dealt to the player and either folds or makes a
second wager.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein the player places a separate side
bet against a pay table in addition to the Ante and the side bet is
resolved after disclosure of both player and dealer hands.
15. The method of claim 5 wherein the player places a separate side
bet against a pay table in addition to the Ante and the side bet is
resolved after disclosure of both player and dealer hands.
16. The method of claim 12 wherein the player places a separate
side bet against a pay table in addition to the Ante and the side
bet is resolved after disclosure of both player and dealer
hands.
17. The method of claim 13 wherein the player places a separate
side bet against a pay table in addition to the Ante and the side
bet is resolved after disclosure of both player and dealer
hands.
18. The method of claim 12 wherein the second wager is between 1
times and 50 times the Ante.
19. The method of claim 13 wherein the second wager is between 1
times and 50 times the Ante.
20. The method of claim 17 wherein the second wager is between 1
times and 50 times the Ante.
21. A wagering game in which a player card hand competes against a
dealer hand according to the rules of rank of 5-Card Poker in which
a player places an ante wager, the player and the dealer are
provided with separate at least 5-Card hands, and after viewing the
player card hand, a player must select an amount of a second wager
to remain in the game, and the player has a choice of the amount of
said second wager between 1.times. and 50.times. the ante
wager.
22. The wagering game of claim 21 wherein the player must also make
a side bet against a pay table before the player and dealer hands
are revealed.
23. The wagering game of claim 21 wherein rules of comparing hand
ranks exclude consideration of kickers along with hand ranks
consisting of a pair, two pair, three-of-a-kind and four-of-a-kind
and the player wins all ties in the hand ranks.
24. A method of playing a card game with a required ante in which a
player hand competes against a dealer hand consisting of a first
number of cards, the card game based upon poker rank of hands, the
player randomly receiving a second number of cards selected from a
number of cards dealt to a dealer, one card fewer than the first
number of cards and one card more than the first number of cards,
and after receiving the second number of cards, the player may
select between a) wagering an amount that is a whole number
multiple of the ante between 1.times. and 50.times. or b)
forfeiting the ante and folding.
25. The method of claim 24 wherein determination of randomly
receiving a second number of cards is determined by a shuffler
having randomizing capability selected from the group consisting of
hardware, software, and hardware and software.
26. An automated wagering gaming event system comprising: at least
two distinct video displays, a first dealer display for showing a
foreground image of a dealer in a card game, and at least a second
display showing playing cards to multiple players; at least one
processor for enabling play of the wagering gaming event; multiple
player positions to enable multiple players to play the game;
wherein at least one of the processors can feed at least three
different sets of video image data and merge the at least three
multiple video images to form a composite image of a dealer against
a background, the processor feeding at least one set as a mask
layer and at least one set as an auxiliary dynamic background
image, the system implementing play of a game according to the
rules: playing a wagering game comprising the method of claim
1.
27. An automated gaming system comprising a gaming table and an
upright video display panel comprising: a table having an upper
surface, the upper surface having a video display surface that
provides a continuous field of video display for at least two
different player positions; and at least one main game processor in
information communication with the upright video display panel and
the video display surface, the processor directing video display on
both the upright video display panel and the video display surface,
and providing game rules for the play of at least one casino table
card game without the use of physical cards on the table, the
system enabling play of a casino table poker-type card game
according to the rules: playing a wagering game comprising the
method of claim 1.
28. A method of playing a casino wagering game comprising: a player
placing at least one first wager to participate in at least one
game selected from the group consisting of a game against a dealer
hand and a game against a pay table; dealing a random number of
cards to at least one player, forming an initial hand; discarding
excess cards, if any, to form a hand of X cards; and resolving the
at least one wager.
29. The method of claim 28, and further comprising the player
placing a second wager to participate in a game against a pay
table.
30. The method of claim 28, wherein X is selected from the group
consisting of 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 cards.
31. The method of claim 28, and further comprising dealing the
dealer more than X cards.
32. The method of claim 28, and when the randomly determined number
of cards is fewer than X, the player plays with that number of
determined cards.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present disclosure relates to the field of casino games,
particularly casino card games, and particularly casino table card
games and card games played on automated platforms.
[0003] 2. Background of the Art
[0004] Many different wagering games presently exist for use in
both home and casino environments. Such games should necessarily be
exciting, uncomplicated and easy to learn so as to avoid
frustrating the players. Card games such as poker and Twenty-One
have gained widespread popularity because of their established
ranking of hands and well known rules. Furthermore, each of these
games usually involves continuous wagering opportunities for the
players thus increasing player participation and excitement.
Lastly, the games move fairly quickly to maintain action and
activity. All of these factors have created games that are widely
accepted and are widely known.
[0005] Variations in wagering structures can also increase the
excitement and acceptance of such wagering games. U.S. Pat. No.
5,417,430 (Breeding) discloses a poker game with an altered
wagering scheme thus allowing the player the opportunity to compete
for an additional prize or payout.
[0006] Other variations can be made to standard games to allow more
player opportunity and involvement. U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,107
(Boylan) discloses a game wherein additional symbols are added to
increase wagering opportunities. This allows the player the
opportunity to place several wagers on different portions of the
game while the game is being played.
[0007] There are numerous variants of poker that are played in
casinos throughout the world. Among the more well-known and
successful commercial games are Let It Rides.RTM. Stud Poker
(represented by U.S. Pat. No. 2,881,081, Breeding), Four Card
Poker.TM. game (represented by published U.S. Patent Application
20020195775, Webb), Three-Card Poker.RTM. game (represented by U.S.
Pat. No. 5,685,774); and Caribbean Stud.RTM. Poker game
(represented by U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,533). Each of these games has
its own set of rules, and consistent numbers of cards are uniformly
dealt to players' hands and dealer hands, even though in the Four
Card Poker.TM. game the dealer consistently receives more cards
than does the player. The play of Four-Card Poker (Published U.S.
Patent Application Nos. 2002/0195775; and 2004/0217548) shows
differential numbers of cards being provided to players and
dealers, but never randomly. That is, the dealer gets one fixed
number of cards and the players get another fixed number of
cards.
[0008] Many variations in the play of poker-type games have also
been introduced to increase the excitement and interest in the play
of both table and video versions of poker. For example, in a video
version of draw poker, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,356,140 and 5,531,440
(Dabrowski) teach that after an initial wager, two distinct hands
may be dealt, and the player may select between the two hands for
continued play of the game. Only a single hand may be played.
[0009] U.S. Published Application 20040033825 describes a wagering
game for one or more players comprising (a) a random result
generator for generating a specific random result, and (b) a
playing surface (100) including a first betting zone (20) for
placement of first wagers corresponding to a plurality of likely
random results; and a second betting zone (30) for placement of
second wagers corresponding to a first or second outcome wherein
the likely random result is compared to the specific random result
for a match and the first or second outcomes are determined by a
comparison of the specific random result with either a
predetermined specific random result or a successive specific
random result.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,663,487 (Ladner) describes an electronic
gaming device and method which provides for dynamically selected
pay tables. For each hand or series of hands, the device selects a
prevailing pay table or a prevailing pay for one or more outcomes.
The prevailing pay table can be randomly selected from a plurality
of pay tables, pseudo-randomly selected or can be selected based
upon the player's strategy of play. An electronic device is
described for playing a wagering game of the type where a player
makes a wager, game play indicia are selected by a data processor
to result in either a winning or a losing outcome combination of
indicia and, if the player obtains a winning outcome, the player is
issued an award according to the winning outcome combination
obtained and a pay table which defines the award to be paid.
[0011] The device comprises: a processor to control the play of the
game; a display to display the game play indicia, said display
controlled by the processor; means for the player to input a wager
and prompt play of the game; a data structure storing data
corresponding to a plurality of pay tables, each pay table
presenting a differing award schedule for at least some
game-winning outcomes; the processor configured to randomly select
from the first data structure a pay table for the game and to
control the display to display the selected pay table; the
processor configured to, upon prompting of play of the game, select
and display an outcome for the game and compare the outcome to the
selected pay table award schedule and if a game winning outcome has
been selected, for issuing the reward corresponding to said
selected pay table schedule.
[0012] U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,665,684; 6,651,982; 6,651,981 (Grauzer et
al.) and related cases show the formation of hands with random
cards therein, but with specified, fixed numbers of cards in each
hand according to fixed rules of the games played. The apparatus
and method are for moving playing cards from a first group of cards
into plural hands of cards, wherein each of the hands contains a
random arrangement of cards. The apparatus comprises a card
receiver for receiving the first group of cards, a single stack of
card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card
receiver, the stack generally vertically movable, an elevator for
moving the stack, a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver
and the stack, and a microprocessor that controls the card-moving
mechanism and the elevator so that an individual card is moved into
an identified compartment. The number of compartments receiving
cards and the number of cards moved to each compartment may be
selected. An apparatus is described for feeding cards, comprising a
surface for supporting a stack of cards, a feed roller with a
frictional outer surface, a drive mechanism for causing rotation of
the feed roller, a pair of speed-up rollers to advance the cards
out of the feed roller, and a clutch mechanism for disengaging the
feed roller from the drive mechanism as the card comes into contact
with the speed up rollers.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 6,569,014 (Walker et al.) describes an
electronic gaming device and method for operating the same is
disclosed. According to one aspect of the invention, the device is
a video poker machine that displays an initial hand of cards to a
player. The player considers the initial hand and executes a game
strategy by selecting certain cards to hold and others to discard,
if any. A player's selection of cards causes a signal to be
received by the device. The signal indicates which of the cards in
the initial hand are to be held and which are to be discarded.
Based on the signal, the device determines a number of cards to be
drawn. For each discard card, the device displays an additional
draw card in place thereof and determines a payout based on a
ranking of the final hand and the number of cards drawn. Differing
pay tables may be provided depending upon the number of cards
replaced.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 6,257,979 (Walker) describes a method for
operating a video poker machine which includes the steps of
populating a primary poker band with a plurality of playing cards,
identifying discard cards to be discarded from the populated
primary poker band, populating a secondary poker hand with the
discard cards, populating the primary poker hand to replace the
discard cards discarded therefrom, thereby forming a final primary
poker hand, and determining a payout based at least upon the
playing cards in the final primary poker hand. There is a computer
control system driving the video poker machine.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,271 (Vancura) describes what is
primarily a video type game as a method of playing a game
comprising the steps of: (a) a player making a wager; (b) dealing a
random event to a player and a dealer, said random event having an
associated value; (c) said player standing or hitting; (d) if the
player stands, establishing player's score based on the number of
events dealt to said player; (e) if the player hits, dealing a new
random event to said player, said hit being deemed successful or
unsuccessful based on a comparison of the associated value of said
new random event to the associated value of said player's
immediately preceding event; (e1) should said hit be successful,
repeating step (c); (e2) should said hit be unsuccessful,
establishing player's score as the null value, (f) said dealer
standing or hitting; (g) if the dealer stands, establishing
dealer's score based on the number of events dealt to said dealer;
(h) if the dealer hits, dealing a new random event to said dealer,
said hit being deemed successful or unsuccessful based on a
comparison of the associated value of said new random event to the
associated value of said dealer's immediately preceding event; (h1)
should said hit be successful, repeating step (f); (h2) should said
hit be unsuccessful, establishing dealer's score as the null value,
(i) resolving said player's wager. The Vancura patent describes
that the game could be played with cards, for example, with a dealt
card serving as a random event and its rank comprising the
associated value. Such was the case with the former television game
show Card Sharks, in which contestants, in part, conjectured upon
the relative rank of cards as compared to those previous.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 6,110,040 (Sanduski et al.) describes a video
poker gaming machine where, after initially dealing five cards to a
player, the machine displays a sixth card to replace a discarded
card by the player. In one embodiment, the sixth card automatically
replaces the leftmost discarded card. In another embodiment, the
sixth card can replace any of the discarded cards.
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,849 (Faciglia) provides background
information specific to the use of random number generators for
providing random signals. A computer-based system and method allow
at least one player to play a poker-like game using a computer. A
processor processes inputs through a Graphic User Interface (GUI).
A display displays the GUI, including: a five column by five row
display matrix, in which each column and row combination includes a
matrix display region defining a block of the display matrix; five
selectable display regions, each selectable display region
corresponding to each column of the display matrix; and a plurality
of user-actuatable icons, including an actuation icon. A selectable
symbol generator responds to the user inputs by randomly generating
selectable symbols corresponding to poker playing cards for
display. The processor causes a selected symbol to be displayed in
a selected matrix display region of the display matrix, and
determines whether the display matrix displays a combination of
symbols corresponding to a poker hand condition. The processor
generates a score for each user. The poker-playing device may be
adapted for playing a poker-style game among a plurality of users,
with respective scores determined and displayed, and for providing
a chat room feature for interactive text transactions between
players before, during, and after play.
[0018] In separate patent application authorizations and filings,
Shuffle Master, Inc. has proposed a game in which there is a
generic disclosure of dealing random hands (PA1088.ap.US, titled
PLAYING CARD SHUFFLER WITH DIFFERENTIAL HAND CAPABILITY).
[0019] There are poker table games with indeterminate numbers of
cards dealt, but not random numbers of cards dealt to players. For
example, with apologies to Political Correctness, there are
variations of games called Pitch and Bitch Low Ball and Bounty in
which complete hands are dealt (e.g., 5 cards) and the player has
exclusive control over whether or not an additional card will be
provided for play of the game, with or without discarding a card,
and with or without making a pot contribution to purchase the
card.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0020] A casino wagering card game is described that combines a
unique series of steps and events to provide a game with an
enhanced sense of relative advantage between a player and the
dealer. The game provides greater player control over wagers, while
at the same time offering instances where dealer advantages, which
are the result of greater numbers of cards for the dealer from
which to form a hand than the number of cards that players are
given). In some instances, the inherent dealer advantage is leveled
(e.g., by providing players with the same number of cards as the
dealer, on a regular or random basis). A base game comprises a
player placing at least one of a Play Wager or a wager against a
pay table in the play of a Y-Card poker hand. The dealer ordinarily
receives an X-Card initial hand from which to select the final
Y-Card hand, wherein X>Y. The player is ordinarily dealt an
initial hand of at least Y-Cards and randomly receives a hand
comprising any integer of Y through X. After a player views the
initial hand dealt to the player, a decision is made as to whether
to continue play of the game (if the initial Ante Wager was made)
by making a Play Bet, or to fold the hand. Player hands win when a
player 5-Card hand ties the dealer 5-Card hand. A wider range of
Play Bets are allowed than normal, such as a range of from 1.times.
to 2.times. the Play Ante. Additional side bets are also available
in the play of the game, the side bets being placed before the
player reviews the player initial hand.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0021] FIG. 1 shows a playing surface for the 61/2 Card Poker.TM.
game.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram for play of an exemplary embodiment
of 61/2 Card Poker.TM. game.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] The following descriptions provide disclosure of generic
concepts of the play of a game. In practice, various steps may be
omitted, additional steps added, and the sequence of steps varied,
with the play of the resulting game still remaining within the
scope of the present disclosure.
[0024] A general description of the game follows. A method of
playing a casino wagering game uses hand rank or hand count
determined by the provision of symbols dealt to at least a player
and a dealer. A player places at least a first wager on an
underlying card game in which a player hand competes with a dealer
hand. X cards are dealt to a dealer to form a dealer hand and to
the player(s) that has placed the at least a first Ante Wager are
dealt a random number of cards to form a player hand. The random
number is selected from a defined set of numbers including at least
one number less than X and X. The player(s) review their hand and
determine whether to stay in the game (usually by having to make an
additional Play Bet wager to back up the Ante Wager) or folding.
For player(s) remaining in the game, the ranks of the dealer hand
and the player hand are compared according to poker rules or other
game rules. The at least first Ante Wager and any other wagers are
then resolved.
[0025] For purposes of disclosure, ranks of the dealer hand and the
player hand are typically based upon poker ranks for a hand of Y
cards. Y may be selected from the group consisting of 3, 4 and 5. Y
preferably is 5. X may be selected from the group consisting of 5,
6 and 7 (when Y is 5), and comparable numbers for hands where X is
3 or 4. Preferably X is 6 or 7 when Y is 5. The defined set of
numbers may be preferably selected from the group consisting of 6
and 7 when Y is 5. The player typically views the random number of
cards dealt to the player and either folds (losing the Ante Wager)
or makes a second wager, the Play Bet wager. The player may also
place at least one separate side bet against a pay table in
addition to the Ante (and any subsequent Play Bet wager) and the
side bet is resolved after disclosure of both player and dealer
hands. The second wager (Play Bet wager) may be selected by the
player from within a range of multiples for the Ante wager. For
example, the range may be between 1 times and 50 times the Ante,
between 1.times. to 40.times. the Ante wager, or between 1 and
20.times. the Ante wager, or any other range that is designed or
appropriate to the casino.
[0026] The game may also be described as a wagering game in which a
player card hand competes against a dealer hand according to the
rules of rank of 5-Card Poker. A player(s) places at least an ante
wager, and the player and the dealer are provided with separate at
least 5-Card hands. Typically the player receives a 5- or 6-Card
hand and the dealer receives a 6- or 7-card hand, evidencing an
advantage against the player. After viewing the player card hand, a
player must select an amount of a second wager to remain in the
game or fold. The player has a choice of the amount of the second
wager between a range of values, with a choice possibly available
between at least three values for the amount of the second Play
Wager or Bet Wager. The range may be, for example, between 1.times.
and 50.times. the ante wager. The player may be required or allowed
to make an additional side bet against a pay table before the
player and dealer hands are revealed. The rules of comparing hand
ranks may exclude consideration of kickers along with hand ranks
consisting of a pair, two pair, three-of-a-kind and four-of-a-kind
and the player wins all ties in the hand ranks. It is to be
understood that the particular poker hand ranking system depends
upon the number of cards in the final hand, because the frequency
of certain hands is different depending upon whether the game is a
3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 Card game.
[0027] The game may be further described as a method of playing a
card game with a required ante in which a player hand competes
against a dealer hand consisting of a first number of cards, the
card game based upon poker rank of hands. The player randomly
receiving a second number of cards selected from the following: a
first number of cards dealt to a dealer, one card fewer than the
first number of cards and one card more than the first number of
cards. After receiving the second number of cards, the player may
select between a) wagering a Bet Wager amount that is a whole
number multiple of the Ante between 1.times. and 50.times. or b)
forfeiting the Ante Wager and folding. The determination of
randomly receiving a second number of cards is determined by a
shuffler having random card count per hand capability selected from
the group consisting of hardware, software, and hardware and
software.
[0028] A game will typically begin with at least one player
initiating a game at least in part in opposition to a hand played
by the house (e.g., typically a dealer hand, whether real or
virtual). There must be at least one wager made by a player to
enter play of the game. The required wager against the house is
called the Ante Wager, in one example of a game according to the
present teachings. At a table or machine, there is usually a
maximum amount and a minimum amount allowed for an Ante or Play
Wager, for example at least $1.00 and a maximum of $500.00. There
are also side bets that may be placed at this time (before a player
can see the player's initial hand), and these will be discussed in
greater detail below.
[0029] After placing the required wager (referred to generally as
the Ante), the at least one player is dealt and initial hand, and
the dealer is dealt an initial hand. The final competition between
hands held by players and the dealer will be with hands of an equal
number of cards, for example, with final hands of 3, 4, or 5 cards.
One exception is when the player is dealt fewer than the number of
cards in the final dealer hand--i.e., where the player is dealt
four cards and the dealer is dealt five cards in a 4-Card Poker.TM.
game. The initial hands dealt to the players in the game will
typically be a number of cards at least equal to the number of
cards used in the final hand. For purposes of ease of explanation,
a final hand of 5-Cards will be discussed, remembering that the
actual number of cards in the player hand and the dealer hand in
the competition may be varied according to house rules, local
rules, and game rules. For example, in one variant, the player
initial hand could be fewer than the final hand card count, and the
player would receive an additional card (with or without a discard)
after viewing the initial hand. If the initial hand card count
equals the final hand card count, then a discard and replacement
option may be available. The player may also be randomly dealt
fewer than the number of cards in the final dealer hand and be
forced to play with fewer than all cards.
[0030] The initial player card count hand will comprise the actual
number of cards used to form the final hand count. For example, if
the final hand count in competition is a 5-Card poker hand, the
player would be dealt at least five cards, and in a preferred
embodiment of the invention, exactly six cards in the base play of
the game. However, in a randomly determined event (which may be
determined by a random event determination by a card shuffler, a
processor identifying playing positions, or some other random
determination procedure), a hand with a larger card count (e.g., if
5 cards are usually dealt, 6 or 7 cards are dealt to at least one
player on random hands to random players; if 6 cards are generally
dealt to players, then 7 or 8 cards are dealt to at least one
player on random hands to random players). The total number of
cards in the players hand before rendering a decision on a
continuing wager is referred to as the player hand total card
count. After the player reviews the cards in the player hand total
card count, the player must decide how to continue play of the
hand. The player at this point has an option of folding, and
forfeiting all wagers; possibly making no additional wagers
(calling), and remaining in the game; of making a Play Bet to
supplement the Play Wager in the competition of hands against the
dealer hand.
[0031] The amount of the Play Wager may be chosen by the player in
some embodiments of the game. In a preferred embodiment of the
present game, the player may elect to make a Play Bet of 1.times.,
2.times., 3.times., 4.times., 5.times., 6.times., 7.times. or more
in comparison to the Ante Wager. Fractional wagers are also
possible, but that might be more difficult for a dealer to
regulate. After the player makes a decision on how to proceed with
the game, such as making the Play Wager, the cards may then be
revealed. It is possible at this point to offer a discard and
replacement (a discard/draw event) to the player (and/or to the
dealer), with the draw event being either free to the player, or
requiring a payment or additional wager.
[0032] After all intermediate events (the Play Wager, draw event,
additional wager, etc.) have been completed, the player(s) and the
dealer reveal their entire final hand counts and the best 5-Card
hand is created out of the respective (dealer and individual
player) final hand total card counts. The hands are compared, and a
dealer hand higher in poker rank than the player's hand wins the
Ante and the Play Wager of the player, a player hand that is higher
in poker rank than the dealer hand wins (including any odds) on the
Ante Wager (the Ante) and the Play Wager; and a tie in hand poker
rank between the player and the dealer may result in either a house
win (dealer win), tie (a push), or a player win, depending upon the
house rules. In a preferred embodiment, ties result in at least a
player win on the Ante Wager, the Play Wager, and/or the Ante Wager
and Play Wager.
[0033] In the sequential play of hands at a gaming table, an
additional element of play that is clearly favorable for the player
may be introduced. Rather than a player and dealer always receiving
a specific number of cards, a random event may occur where either
the dealer receives fewer cards than is normal (i.e., the 7 cards
identified in this example) or the player receives additional cards
(7 rather than 6 cards, or 6 rather than 5 cards) than is normal.
The event should be random (rather than every 100 hands,
specifically) to avoid having players count hands, exit play or
play multiple hands, or otherwise attempting to assure that they
will receive the hand with the extra card(s) and placing a
significantly larger wager. The random event may be performed by a
processor or program in a shuffling device, a program or processor
that identifies specific player positions and hands where an extra
card will be given (or a time when a dealer receives fewer cards),
and the like. Where cards are being manually dealt (rather than
automatically provided from a dealing shoe or shuffler), the dealer
may provide any extra cards to the player in sequence from the deck
(e.g., giving a player six or seven consecutive cards) or providing
the extra card(s) from remainder cards. Lights may be provided on
the table, or a position indicator (as used in Pai Gow poker, as
shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,411 (Breeding) may be provided to
identify a player that is to receive additional cards in this
manner, similar to the lights or position numbers that randomly
identifies the position of the deal in Pai Gow poker, here also
randomly indicating the occurrence of the event (the extra card).
This system could also be used to identify the occurrence of an
extra card or fewer cards to a dealer, if incorporated into the
game.
[0034] The game technology may be alternatively summarized for a
particular format of play (a 5-Card poker hand competition, with 6-
or 7-Card initial hands to a player and 7-Card initial hands to a
dealer) as including at least some of the game elements listed as
follows for providing the randomness to the delivery of player
cards (or dealer cards): [0035] 1. The player places a wager (the
Ante) to compete against a dealer (and optionally against a
paytable) in a best 5-Card hand poker game. [0036] 2. The dealer
always receives a seven-card hand from which a Best 5-Card hand is
prepared. [0037] 3. The player is randomly dealt either a 6-Card
initial hand or 7-Card initial hand from which the Best 5-Card hand
is prepared. [0038] 4. There is one required initial wager (the
Ante) and one required wager to continue play of the game (The Play
Wager). [0039] 5. There are two optional wagers, the optional Bonus
Bet and the Super Bonus Bet (further described herein) which must
be placed, if placed at all, prior to the player viewing the player
hand. [0040] 6. A wide range of wagers may be played as the Play
Bet (e.g., from 1.times. to 20.times. the Ante) to continue play of
the game, after the player has viewed the player cards. [0041] 7.
"Kickers" do not count in determining hand rank, creating more
ties. [0042] 8. Players win ties.
[0043] An optional element in the play of the game is to have one
or more of the side bets required bets in the play of the game. The
Bonus Bet and the Super Bonus Bet offer higher payout odds for high
ranked hands, as shown in the table below. TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1
PLAY BONUS SUPER RANK WAGER X* BET X BONUS X Royal Flush 20X 50 TO
1 200 TO 1 Straight Flush 10X 40 TO 1 100 TO 1 Four-of-a-Kind 7X 15
TO 1 10 TO 1 Full House 6X 6 TO 1 4 TO 1 Flush 5X 5 TO 1 3 TO 1
Straight 4X 4 TO 1 3 TO 2 Three-of-a-Kind 3X 3 TO 1 1 TO 1 Two Pair
2X 1 TO 1 -- Pair or Less 1X -- -- _*Player must win the hand to
win on the Play Bet, while payouts may be available independent of
a winning outcome for the player on the Bonus and Super Bonus
wagers.
[0044] A few exemplary hands indicating the format of play under
these rules will be shown.
EXAMPLES
[0045] Three players are present at the exemplary gaming table, and
a live dealer is present. The hands (including dealer hand) will be
shown even though the dealer hand is not actually revealed until
the players' activity is concluded.
Example 1
[0046] TABLE-US-00002 ACTION-First Deal DEALER PLAYER 1 PLAYER 2
PLAYER 3 COMMENT Monitors Places only $10 Places $10 Places $10
Game begins, wagers Ante Ante and $5 Ante, $10, hands are dealt 5,
5.diamond-solid., 5 , 3, 4, 6.diamond-solid., 7, Bonus Bet Bonus
Bet and 10, J, K.diamond-solid. 10 , K 4, 4.diamond-solid., 4 , 6
$5.00 Super A.diamond-solid. Player 1 folds, 8 , Q.diamond-solid.
Bonus Dealer Awaits forfeiting Ante Player 2 makes a 2 , 9, 9, 9 ,
Player Activity Play Bet of $20 (2x 10 , 10.diamond-solid. Ante)
Player 3 makes a Play Bet of $50 (5X Ante)
[0047] The dealer then reveals the dealer hand, arranges all player
cards, and forms both Player and Dealer best 5-Card hands, as
follows, with Player 1 having folded. TABLE-US-00003 DEALER
1.sup.ST PLAYER 2.sup.ND PLAYER 3.sup.RD PLAYER Three-of-a-kind
(5s) Folded Three-of-a-kind (4s) Full House
The award/bet resolution to each player would be as follows:
[0048] Player 1 loses $10 Ante.
[0049] Player 2 loses $10 Ante and $20 Play Wager to higher dealer
hand, but wins $15 (3.times.$5) on the Bonus Bet, for a net loss of
$15.00.
[0050] Player 3 wins $10 on the Ante, $250 on the Play Wager
(5.times.$50), $60 on the Bonus Bet (6.times.$10), and $20
(4.times.$5) on the Super Bonus wager, for a net win of $380 on a
total wager of $75.
Example 2
[0051] This example will show the same hands as Example 1, except
that after a random number of hands, the shuffler has provided an
additional card to Player 1, altering the rank of the hand.
TABLE-US-00004 ACTION-First Deal DEALER PLAYER 1 PLAYER 2 PLAYER 3
COMMENT Monitors Places only $10 Places $10 Places $10 Game begins,
wagers Ante Ante and $5 Ante, $10, hands are dealt 5,
5.diamond-solid., 5 , 3, 4, 6.diamond-solid., 7, Bonus Bet Bonus
Bet and 10, J, K.diamond-solid. 10 , K, 5 4, 4.diamond-solid., 4 ,
6 $5.00 Super A.diamond-solid. Player makes a $40 8 ,
Q.diamond-solid. Bonus Dealer Awaits Play Wager Player 2 makes a 2
, 9,9, 9 , Player Activity Play Wager of $20 10 , 10.diamond-solid.
Player 3 makes a Play Wager of $50
[0052] The dealer then reveals the dealer hand, arranges all player
cards, and forms both Player and Dealer best 5-Card hands, as
follows, with Player 1 having folded. TABLE-US-00005 DEALER
1.sup.ST PLAYER 2.sup.ND PLAYER 3.sup.RD PLAYER Three-of-a-kind
(5s) Straight Three-of-a-kind (4s) Full House
The award/bet resolution to each player would be as follows:
[0053] Player 1 wins $10 Ante and $160 on the Play Wager
(4.times.$40) for a total win of $170.
[0054] Player 2 loses $10 Ante and $20 Play Wager to higher dealer
hand, but wins $15 (3.times.$5) on the Bonus Bet, for a net loss of
$15.00.
[0055] Player 3 wins $10 on the Ante, $250 on the Play Wager
(5.times.$50), $60 on the Bonus Bet (6.times.$10), and $20
(4.times.$5) on the Super Bonus wager, for a net win of $380 on a
total wager of $75.
Example 3
[0056] In this example, the Dealer is randomly dealt fewer than the
standard number of 7-Cards, in fact being dealt 6 cards in the
initial dealer hand. TABLE-US-00006 DEALER PLAYER 1 PLAYER 2 PLAYER
3 COMMENT Monitors Places only $10 Places $10 Places $10 Game
begins, wagers Ante Ante and $5 Ante, $10, hands are dealt 5,
5.diamond-solid., 10, 3, 4, 6.diamond-solid., 7, Bonus Bet Bonus
Bet and J, K.diamond-solid., A.diamond-solid. 10 , K 4,
4.diamond-solid., 4 , 6 $5.00 Super Dealer Awaits Player 1 folds, 8
, Q.diamond-solid. Bonus Player Acitivity forfeiting Ante Player 2
makes a 2 , 9, 9, 9 , Play Wager of $20 10 , 10.diamond-solid.
Player 3 makes a Play Wager of $50
[0057] The dealer then reveals the dealer hand, arranges all player
cards, and forms both Player and Dealer best 5-Card hands, as
follows, with Player 1 having folded. TABLE-US-00007 DEALER
1.sup.ST PLAYER 2.sup.ND PLAYER 3.sup.RD PLAYER Three-of-a-kind
(5s) Folded Three-of-a-kind (4s) Full House
The award/bet resolution to each player would be as follows:
[0058] Player 1 loses $10 Ante.
[0059] Player 2 wins $10 Ante and $60 (3.times.$20 Play Wager) to
lower dealer hand, and wins $15 (3.times.$5) on the Bonus Bet, for
a net win of $85.00.
[0060] Player 3 wins $10 on the Ante, $250 on the Play Wager
(5.times.$50), $60 on the Bonus Bet (6.times.$10), and $20
(4.times.$5) on the Super Bonus wager, for a net win of $380 on a
total wager of $75.
[0061] In this example, the reduction of rank in the dealer hand by
receiving fewer cards, affected the outcome of only Player 2's hand
and bet resolution.
[0062] As can be seen from these examples, the game may be played
with essentially three different pay tables potentially active in
the play of the game, with the Ante wager being typically paid at a
standard rate for a win of 1:1. The Play Wager has a distinct pay
table, the Bonus Bet has a distinct pay table, and the Super Bonus
Bet has a distinct pay table. The game may be played with only one,
two or three pay tables, with one of the Bonus Bet and the Super
Bonus Bet eliminated from player options.
[0063] In one described embodiment of the provision of random
numbers of cards to at least one hand at a gaming table on a random
basis, an apparatus provides for moving playing cards from a first
group of unshuffled cards into shuffled hands of cards, wherein at
least one and usually all of the hands contains a random
arrangement or random selection of a preselected number of cards.
The number of cards in at least one hand can be predetermined or
randomly determined by operation of software and/or hardware in the
shuffler or associated with the shuffler. The apparatus comprises a
card receiver for receiving the first group of cards, a shuffling
mechanism that randomizes the first group of cards into a single
batch of randomized cards or into smaller groups of randomized
cards (e.g., at least some smaller groups comprise two or more
cards, but less than all the cards in the first group of cards), a
hand delivery system that delivers groups of at least two cards as
hands or partial hands to a delivery tray, and a processor that
randomly determines that at least one hand or partial hand has a
number of cards that differ from a number of cards provided to
other hands or partial hands in one round of a single game.
[0064] A feature of the present disclosure is that the process can
be provided by a programmable card handling machine with a display
and appropriate inputs for adjusting the machine to any of a number
of games wherein the inputs include a number of cards per hand
selector, a card game selector, a number of hands delivered
selector and a trouble-shooting input. Additionally, there can be
random input for a number of extra cards or fewer cards to be
dealt. Additionally, there may be an elevator speed adjustment and
sensor to accommodate or monitor the position of the elevator
position as cards wear or become bowed or warped. These features
also provide for interchangeability of the apparatus, meaning the
same apparatus can be used for many different games, for many types
of cards or decks and in different locations thereby reducing the
number of back-up machines or units required at a casino. The
display may include a game mode or game selected display, and use a
cycle rate and/or hand count monitor and display for determining or
monitoring the usage of the machine.
[0065] Another feature of the presently described technology is
that it provides an electromechanical playing card handling
apparatus for more rapidly generating multiple random hands of
playing cards as compared to some other devices, and to provide the
random hands in more diverse formats and counts than are
contemplated by other devices. The preferred device completes a
cycle in approximately 30 seconds, which is double the speed of the
Breeding single deck shuffler disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,807,884
and 5,275,411, which has itself achieved significant commercial
success. Although some of the groups of playing cards (including
player and dealer hands and discarded or unused cards) arranged by
the apparatus in accordance with the method of the present
invention may contain the same number of cards, the cards within
any one group or hand are randomized, as by being randomly selected
and placed therein or by being selected from a randomized reordered
set of playing cards and fed as hands or fed to compartments where
further randomized sets of cards, including hands, may be formed.
Other features of the presently described technology include a
reduction of set up time, increased reliability, lower maintenance
and repair costs, and a reduction or elimination of problems such
as card counting, possible dealer manipulation and card tracking.
These features increase the integrity of a game and enhance casino
security.
[0066] Yet another feature of the card handling apparatus of the
present invention is that it converts a single deck or multiple
decks of unshuffled cards into a plurality of hands ready for use
in playing a game, including games where differential numbers of
cards can be or are required to be provided to different players'
or a dealer's hand, and even where that different number of cards
may be provided randomly to players' or dealer's hands. The hands
converted from the initial deck or decks of cards are substantially
completely random, i.e., the cards comprising each hand are
randomly selected or provided to be placed into that hand. To
accomplish this random distribution, a preferred embodiment of the
apparatus includes a number of vertically stacked, horizontally
disposed card-receiving compartments one above another into which
cards are inserted, one at a time, until an entire group of cards
is distributed. In this preferred embodiment, each card-receiving
compartment is filled (filled to the assigned number of cards for a
hand, and with the residue of cards being fed into one or more
discard compartments, for example), regardless of the number of
players participating in a particular game. For example, when the
card handling apparatus is being used for a seven-player game,
seven player compartments, a dealer compartment and at least one
compartment for cards not used in forming the random hands to be
used in the seven-player game are filled. After the last card from
the unshuffled group is delivered, the hands are ready to be
removed from the compartments and put into play, either manually,
automatically, or with a combined automatic feed and hand
removal.
[0067] A desirable element in this practice of the described
technology is assurance of randomness and the lack or
predictability in the event of providing and assigning hands of
different numbers of cards to players and/or to dealers. This is
why some random determination (as with a random number generator,
including both hardware and/or software, internal to the shuffler
or provided from an external source) of the frequency and position,
and even number of cards is desirable. For example, it would be
undesirable, but possible, especially where there was a full table
(and possibly only where there is a full table) to provide (on
average) a player hand with a different number of cards every 10
hands at a table, or on average every twenty hands (or any other
specific number). If players know that every tenth hand would have
more cards (at a table or for a player), betting strategy would be
greatly altered, usually to the disadvantage of the casino.
Therefore, randomness may or should be applied to how frequently a
different number of cards is to be provided, the number difference
that will be available (e.g., in a 5-Card game, whether 0, 1, 2, 3,
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 of cards, or less or more cards is to be provided
to different number of cards hands), whether a player or whether a
particular player or the dealer, or only among players is to
receive the different number of cards hand. Once these concepts are
have been developed and considered as in this patent, the
application of random number generation to these features by
software and/or hardware can be performed by the skilled
artisan.
[0068] A method is provided for randomly mixing cards in a
shuffling device comprising:
[0069] a) providing at least one deck of playing cards;
[0070] b) removing cards one-at-a-time from the at least one deck
of cards;
[0071] c) randomly inserting each card removed one-at-a-time into
one of a number of distinct storage areas, each storage area
defining a distinct subset of cards; and
[0072] d) randomly determining a number of cards to form at least
one distinct subset of cards such that at least one of the storage
areas receives at least two randomly inserted cards one-at-a-time
to form a random, distinct subset of at least two cards, and the
total number of cards within the random, distinct subset of at
least two cards was randomly selected from within a range of
numbers of cards or parameters. The terminology "range of
parameters" indicates that the selection is not, and cannot be,
between 0 and infinity in a card game. The uppermost end of the
range cannot exceed the total number of cards in the at least one
deck, and cannot exceed a number of cards that would prevent other
players and a dealer, where present, from receiving a necessary
number of cards to play in the underlying card game. For example,
with seven players and a dealer in a 5-Card Stud poker game, each
player and a dealer may receive 5 cards, using a total of 40 cards
out of the 52 cards in a standard 52 card poker deck. There are
still 12 cards available, above the absolutely necessary 40 cards
with seven players and a dealer, so the limits on possible numbers
of cards within which the number may be randomly chosen are
theoretically between 0 (cannot deal fewer than 0 cards) and 17
cards (the five original cards basic to the game and the 12
remaining cards). It is possible that if more than one hand may be
randomly selected within a round of play and fewer than 5 cards may
be dealt, that the range could exceed 17 cards, but the concept of
the limits of the range is still clear.
[0073] A method is provided for randomly mixing cards comprising:
[0074] a) providing at least one deck of playing cards; [0075] b)
removing cards one-at-a-time from the at least one deck of cards;
[0076] c) randomly inserting each card removed one-at-a-time into
one of a number of distinct storage areas, each storage area
defining a distinct subset of cards; [0077] d) at least one of the
storage areas receives at least two randomly inserted cards
one-at-a-time to form a random, distinct subset of at least two
cards, the distinct subset of at least two cards is provided to
players or a dealer, and the number of cards in the subset is
randomly chosen from within a range of a number of cards.
[0078] Cards in random, distinct subsets may be removed from at
least one of the distinct storage areas. The cards removed from at
least one of the distinct storage areas may define a subset of
cards that is delivered to a player as a hand. One set of the cards
removed from at least one of the distinct storage areas may also
define a subset of cards that is delivered to a dealer as a hand.
Distinct subsets of cards may be removed from at least one distinct
storage area and be delivered into a receiving area. Each distinct
subset of cards may be removed from the storage area and delivered
to a position on a gaming table that is distinct from a position
where another removed subset is delivered. All removed subsets may
be delivered to the storage area without removal of previous
subsets being removed from the receiving area. At least two
received subsets each may become hands of cards for use in a game
of cards.
[0079] A method of playing a casino wagering game comprising:
[0080] a) a player placing at least one first wager to participate
in at least one game selected from the group consisting of a game
against a dealer hand and a game against a pay table; [0081] b)
dealing a random number of cards to at least one player, forming an
initial hand; [0082] c) discarding excess cards, if any, to form a
hand of X cards; and [0083] d) resolving the at least one
wager.
[0084] The method of claim 28, and further comprising the player
placing a second wager to participate in a game against a pay
table.
[0085] The method of claim 28, wherein X is selected from the group
consisting of 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 cards.
[0086] The method of claim 28, and further comprising dealing the
dealer more than X cards.
[0087] The method of claim 28, and when the randomly determined
number of cards is fewer than X, the player plays with that number
of determined cards.
[0088] The game may be played on automated formats, such as video
machines or the Multi-Player Platform described in U.S. patent
application Ser. Nos. 10/764,827; 10/764,994; and 10/764,995, all
filed on Jan. 26, 2004. The method of play described above would be
implemented on an automated wagering gaming event system
comprising: [0089] a) at least two distinct video displays, a first
dealer display for showing a foreground image of a dealer in a card
game, and at least a second display showing playing cards to
multiple players; [0090] b) at least one processor for enabling
play of the wagering gaming event; [0091] c) multiple player
positions to enable multiple players to play the game; [0092]
wherein at least one of the processors can feed at least three
different sets of video image data and merge the at least three
multiple video images to form a composite image of a dealer against
a background, the processor feeding at least one set as a mask
layer and at least one set as an auxiliary dynamic background
image, the system implementing play of a game according to the
rules of the game.
[0093] The auxiliary image may be presented as a picture-in-picture
image may also be positioned into at least one of the dealer
display or the second image display. A picture-in-picture image may
also be positioned into at least one of the dealer display or the
second image display. There may be a multiple number of dynamic
background images for the dealer foreground image stored in the
system and are available for feed into the first dealer display. At
least one background image is a dynamic background image. The
automated gaming system may execute the rules of the game described
above and comprise a gaming table and an upright video display
panel comprising: [0094] a) a table having an upper surface, the
upper surface having a video display surface that provides a
continuous field of video display for at least two different player
positions; and [0095] b) at least one main game processor in
information communication with the upright video display panel and
the video display surface, the processor directing video display on
both the upright video display panel and the video display surface,
and providing game rules for the play of at least one casino table
card game without the use of physical cards on the table, the
system enabling play of a casino table poker-type card game
according to the rules.
[0096] Any of the known or future developed cards shuffling systems
may be used to provide the random number of cards per hand. The
hands (both random and standard) may be formed inside the machine,
with an entire hand delivered to a delivery tray, groups of cards
(subsets of cards) formed in the shuffler may be delivered to a
tray to form a random card count, partial hand or normal hand,
cards may be delivered one at a time to the delivery tray to form
the hands there. The mechanism by which the cards are provided are
not an element of the play of the game itself, as long as the
desired degree of randomness is achieved in the delivery of random
card count hands.
[0097] FIG. 1 shows a casino table layout 2 for one position of
play for one example of a 61/2 Card Poker.TM. game. There is a
position 4 for player cards to be dealt, and a position 6 for
dealer cards to be dealt. At the player position, there are
possible betting positions for four distinct wagers, the Ante Wager
position 8, the Play Wager position 10, the Bonus Wager side bet
position 12, and the Super Bonus side bet position 14. Those
locations are used to place wagers according to the rules of the
game and the decisions by the players as described above.
[0098] FIG. 2 shows a flow chart that displays one format of play
of a game according to the present generic description. According
to each step shown in the flow chart, [0099] 1) A PLAYER MAKES AT
LEAST AN ANTE WAGER OF VALUE Z (at least one bonus wager may be
mandatory) TO COMPETE IN AN X-CARD POKER GAME; [0100] 2) The PLAYER
IS DEALT A STANDARD NUMBER OF CARDS, SUCH AS AT LEAST X CARDS,
preferably X+1 cards; [0101] 3) The DEALER IS DEALT A STANDARD
NUMBER OF CARDS, SUCH AS AT LEAST Y CARDS, WHERE Y>X, preferably
Y=X+2; [0102] 4) The PLAYER REVIEWS CARDS AND MAY MAKE A PLAY BET
OF AT LEAST VALUE Z, WITH OPTIONS FOR THE PLAYER OF UP TO 20 Z OR
MORE FOR THE PLAY BET, OR FOLD; [0103] 5) The PLAYER HANDS AND
DEALER HAND ARE REVEALED, AND THE BEST X-CARD HAND IS ARRANGED
[0104] 6) PLAYER WINS ANTE WAGER AND PLAY BET WAGER IF PLAYER HAND
RANK EXCEEDS DEALER HAND RANK (ties go according to house or
optional game rules); [0105] 7) The ODDS ARE ALSO PAID IN RESOLVING
PLAYER WAGERS AND BETS WHEN PREDETERMINED PLAYER HAND RANKS ARE
ATTAINED (according to pay table); [0106] 8) OVER THE COURSE OF
PLAY OF THE GAME, A RANDOM EVENT DETERMINATOR (e.g., PROCESSOR
AFFECTING THE TABLE, AS IN THE SHUFFLER OR CENTRAL PROCESSOR)
DETERMINES WHEN A PLAYER HAND IS TO BE DEALT WITH MORE THAN THE
STANDARD NUMBER OF CARDS, OR THE DEALER IS TO BE DEALT FEWER THAN
THE STANDARD NUMBER OF DEALER CARDS; and [0107] 9) The ROUND IS
PLAYED WITH RANDOMLY ASSIGNED VARYING NUMBER OF CARDS IN HANDS, AS
DETERMINED IN THE RANDOM HAND DETERMINATOR.
* * * * *